Dinesh Karthik calls Ravi Ashwin by the former Australian off-spinner's name

Ravi Ashwin began the Test series against England on a high as he ended the first day of the series opener with a potential chance of claiming five-wicket haul. The hosts are currently nine down and the off-spinner has picked 4/60 in the first innings so far. He bowled superbly after being introduced into the attack in the seventh over and kept the batsmen guessing all the time. However, even Dinesh Karthik was also impressed with his bowling and called him ‘Ashley’ while trying to encourage Ashwin.

The wicketkeeper from Tamil Nadu was pretty vocal in the early stages of the game on Wednesday and was constantly trying to keep up the spirits of his teammates. He also spoke to Ashwin in their native language at times during his spell.

However, during the course of the day, Karthik also called him ‘Ashley’ while trying to cheer him up for his good bowling. Interestingly, Ashley is none other than the former Australia off-spinner who played 38 Tests and 9 One-Day Internationals.

Until Nathan Lyon arrived at the scene, Ashley Mallett was regarded as the best offie in the country since World War II. He scalped 132 wickets in the longest format of the game with as many as 6 five-wicket hauls to his name. He is considered as one of the legends down under for his contribution to the game.

Dinesh Karthik calls Ashwin 'Ashley,' after Ashley Mallet, a tall Australian off-spinner and obviously also a play on 'Ash'win. Definitely a serious student of the game. pic.twitter.com/c509DoRpbu

— Joy Bhattacharjya (@joybhattacharj) August 2, 2018

Ashwin’s heroics

As far as the ongoing Test match is concerned, India gained an upper hand by the end of the day thanks to Ravi Ashwin’s superb bowling. He unfurled some of his new variations and kept the batsmen at bay all the time. Also, the delivery bowled to Alastair Cook was magical as it left everyone stunned. He finished the day with the figures of 4/60 and will be itching to scalp the final wicket of the opposition as well.

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